Repair program helps those in homes keep them up

The frigid days make it near impossible to think of spring, warm sunshine and home repairs. However, at Grundy-Three Rivers Habitat for Humanity, we’re busy dusting off the tools and getting ready for a new season of building and repairs.

In 2016, we introduced an exterior home repair program for low-income homeowners called A Brush with Kindness.

This was followed in 2017 by an interior home repair program for seniors known as Aging in Place. Both programs helped low-income homeowners preserve and improve the safety, accessibility and code-compliance of their homes. Since their inception, we have completed a total of 22 repair projects; 14 of those in 2018.

When we can hire someone or do our own home repairs, it’s easy to forget that some families struggle with maintaining their homes due to age, health or financial circumstance. Imagine living in a home where your only source of water comes from a bathroom or you struggle to get out of your home in your wheelchair because you have stairs. Sometimes, it’s something as simple as installing a new door with a working lock. Can you imagine going to sleep at night knowing you can’t lock your door?

This year, we plan to continue offering our home repair programs under a new name: Home Preservation. Grundy County, Braidwood and Channahon homeowners will continue to partner with Habitat based on income, need and a willingness to help. We will continue to focus on accessibility improvements, mobility modifications and some critical home repairs.

We currently are accepting applications for the Home Preservation program through March 1.

Applications will be reviewed and, if approved, work will be scheduled to begin after April 1. A second open application period begins April 1 through June 1 with approved work beginning after July 1. Please reach out to us with any questions or for an application.

The success of our program depends greatly on collaboration with the community. Individuals, church and youth groups, and businesses work together to give a neighbor a hand through donations of material, labor or monetary gifts. It’s also a willingness to share information about our program with an elderly neighbor, a disabled friend or someone in a tough financial circumstance that needs critical repairs or modifications to a home.

For more information about Grundy-Three Rivers Habitat for Humanity, visit us at www.grundy3rivershabitat.org or email us at info@grundy3rivershabitat.org